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The 47th annual Rotary Lombardi Award releases 158 candidates on watch list and updates eligibility to include all football positions.

Houston, TX (PRWEB)August 25, 2016

The Rotary Lombardi Award committee announced a preliminary watch list of college football players who have the potential to win the honorable Rotary Lombardi Award for the 2016/2017 football season.

The starting list of 158 candidates are players who demonstrate outstanding performance and skill in offensive or defensive positions and best exemplify the discipline, virtue and wisdom that defined Vincent Lombardi's exceptional brand of leadership. The players gained a position on the preliminary watch list by earning All-American honors, being named to their respective all-conference teams, or by receiving 2016 pre-season honors.

The Rotary Lombardi Award began in 1970 by the Rotary Club of Houston to honor NFL coach Vince Lombardi and to recognize outstanding college football lineman. The award began as recognition to only interior line positions that Vince Lombardi played while an undergraduate at Fordham University (offensive and defensive guard), and later expanded to include linebackers and tight ends, with the addition of including non-performance values: leadership, courage, desire, respect for authority, and discipline.

The 47th Annual Rotary Lombardi Award continues the evolvement of the Lombardi legacy by now expanding the eligibility of the award to all player positions that are outstanding performers and exhibit great leadership attributes. Following the preliminary watch list, a nomination period will open to the internal selection committee to add additional players who meet the skill and leadership standards set forth for the Rotary Lombardi Award.

“We’re honored to be a part of the year in which the Rotary Lombardi Award reaches new heights by expanding the positions in which players are eligible for the award,” said co-chair Billy Bray. “We’re aiming to honor the award recipient in a big way as well as surpass previous funds raised at this event to continue the fight against cancer.”

As stipulated by Vince Lombardi’s widow, Marie, when the award began, net proceeds from the award activities are contributed to cancer research and children who cannot afford treatment to fight the disease that claimed the life of Vince Lombardi. The Rotary Lombardi Award continues to be hosted by the Rotary Club of Houston and benefits the American Cancer Society, MD Anderson Cancer Center and the Texas Children’s Hospital.

The award ceremony date will be announced later in the football season along with updated lists of award candidates.